Starting in 1931 and continuing through the 1950s, MacDonald did regular concert tours between films. Her first European tour was in 1931, where she sang in both France and England. Her first American concert tour was in 1939, immediately after the completion of Broadway Serenade and Nelson Eddy's marriage. After that she, like him, did frequent U.S. tours between films. She sang several times at the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall.
MacDonald recorded more than 90 songs during her career, working exclusively for RCA-Victor in the United States. She also did some early recordings for HMV in England and France while she was there on a concert tour in 1931. She earned numerous Gold Records, one for an LP album that she did with Nelson Eddy in 1957.
MacDonald died on January 14, 1965 at 4:32 p.m., at the age of 61 after a long battle with heart problems, with her husband Gene Raymond at her bedside.
Ave Maria
Jeanette MacDonald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Ave, Maria, Ave, Maria
those who suffer call out to you
your arms embrace them all
for you have suffered, too
like any other
Ave, Maria, Ave, Maria
They are children, lost in their fears
You, who once lost a child
You wash them with your tears
You purify them
You beautify them.
Ave, Maria, Ave, Maria
All who doubt you, stray in the night
Maria
So take them by the hand
and lead them to the light.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Amen.
The lyrics of Jeanette MacDonald's "Ave Maria" are a contemplation on the comfort that the Virgin Mary can provide to those in times of suffering and doubt. The repetition of "Ave Maria" reinforces the idea that Mary is revered and called upon by those in need. The lyrics describe Mary as a compassionate figure who can understand the pain of those who suffer, as she too has experienced the loss of a child. The line "you wash them with your tears" suggests that Mary's tears serve as a purifying force that brings comfort to those who are hurting. The final lines of the song ask Mary to take those who doubt her by the hand and lead them to the light, suggesting that she has the power to guide people towards a greater understanding and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Hail Mary, Hail Mary
Ave, Maria, Ave, Maria
Hail, Mary, Hail, Mary
those who suffer call out to you
Those in pain call out to you
your arms embrace them all
You comfort and hold them all
for you have suffered, too
You understand their suffering, having gone through it yourself
like any other
Just like anyone else
the Holy Mother.
As the Holy Mother.
They are children, lost in their fears
They are lost and scared like children
You, who once lost a child
You who once experienced the loss of a child
You wash them with your tears
You cry for their pain, washing away their fears
You purify them
You cleanse and purify them
You beautify them.
You beautify and make them whole.
All who doubt you, stray in the night
Those who doubt you are lost in the dark
Maria
Mary,
So take them by the hand
Guide them gently by the hand
and lead them to the light.
and bring them to the light of faith.
Ave Maria, Ave Maria
Hail Mary, Hail Mary
Amen.
So be it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLAIR W. JOHNSON, FRANZ ANTON SCHUBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind